WC145 NovDec 2025 - Magazine - Page 32
INNOVATION
and protocols that enhance Peel’s current practices and support
the delivery program. “A lot of the infrastructure under this
program is new infrastructure that is being added to augment
the existing system that’s there. There’s significant expansion of
the existing system proposed in the Program. It’s a matter of
getting it in the ground in a timely way that meets the demand
so customers aren’t getting diminished service,” says Carter. Peel
but also embedded into ongoing work. With Peel’s budget for
water and wastewater having more than tripled to $1.7 billion
per year since 2022, the programmatic approach is designed to
accelerate delivery without sacrificing quality, budget, or schedule. It also strengthens communication with stakeholders and
helps coordinate traffic management across multiple sites under
construction. As Carter notes, the structure makes it possible
to adapt quickly: “If we find something during
design that needs to be addressed or changed,
we have a system in place to communicate that
“TheprogrammaticapproachallowstheRegionandtheTown
and cascade it across our teams. That continuous improvement loop is much more effective
toworktogetherandmakesurethatanytimethere’sachange
in a program setting.”
oranewdemand,itisbeinghandledinawaythatisgoingto
If population growth or water demands exceed
current projections, there is a planning and
bebuiltintowhata昀昀ectseverybodyasawhole.”
development team in place that are equipped
to deal with it. “Our planning team would
review documents to ensure the infrastructure
Region maintains and updates their water and wastewater master
is in place to support these developments without exceeding the
plan every five years to ensure a long-term infrastructure plan is
current capacity of our water and wastewater systems,” says Scardeveloped for the water and wastewater system. It outlines the
pato. They also ensure that they coordinate their infrastructure
capital improvements needed to the existing systems so that they
plans with staff at the local municipal level to align their capital
can keep up with the demand for new homes being built.
planning and delivery for growth, while ensuring the water and
The majority of Peel’s water comes from Lake Ontario. “We’re
wastewater systems do not become overwhelmed.
a lake-based water system and we have two major water treatment
Sustainability in Peel’s program extends beyond emissions
plants; the Arthur P. Kennedy and Lorne Park water treatment
to the way infrastructure is designed, built, and integrated
plants,” says Scarpato. Things such as climate change, runoff from
into the community. On the technical side, assets are being
urban drainage, and invasive plant and aquatic life are placing
engineered to meet or exceed industry standards, with a strong
increasing risks on Peel’s source water quality. “Peel takes part in a
focus on durability and lifecycle performance. This includes
coordinated effort with other major Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
careful selection of pipeline materials, coatings, joint details,
municipalities to keep tabs on emerging challenges in source
and fittings, all informed by third-party engineering reports.
water quality such as PFAS.” They also actively monitor quality
“We understand the mechanisms that cause our pipelines to
in real time to make changes to their treatments when suitable,
fail, whether due to structural issues, ground chemistry, or
ensuring top water quality.
electrochemical currents,” explains Scarpato. “The goal is to
“We’re very fortunate to have Lake Ontario to provide an
ensure that solutions are evaluated on a project-by-project
abundance of fresh water to the majority of Peel Region,” continues
basis, while still adhering to Peel Region standards.”
Scarpato. Facilities are now being designed to meet the Region’s
Equally important is coordination with local partners. Peel
net-zero building standard, which includes replacing natural gas
works closely with the Town of Caledon to align water and
systems with electric alternatives such as heat pumps and unit
wastewater upgrades with broader growth plans for transportaheaters. “We are mindful of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
tion and development. “The Region’s communications team is
designing our facilities in accordance with Peel’s net-zero emissions
adamant about maintaining the character of the town in public
building standard,” he says. To prepare for prolonged dry weather,
outreach activities while supporting growth,” says Carter.
additional water storage capacity is being built to help reduce the
Regular collaboration helps ensure construction minimizes
frequency and duration of watering restrictions. On the wastewater
disruption and contributes to a sustainable long-term vision
side, infrastructure is designed to handle heavier rainfall events and
for the community.
minimize inflow and infiltration. “We often require a minimum
By partnering with Stantec and adopting a programmatic
pressure rating for joints and ensure that major sewers are pressure
delivery model, Peel Region is transforming how water and
tested before commissioning,” adds Scarpato.
wastewater infrastructure is planned and built. The approach
One of the big components of the program is continual knowlnot only accelerates delivery to keep pace with housing growth,
edge and training, and how to apply lessons learned from one probut also embeds sustainability, resilience, and collaboration
ject to another. This ensures improvements are not only identified
into every project.
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WATER C AN ADA • NOV EMBER/ DECEMBER 2025
